Adjustable stocking form



Feb. 25, 1930. w slGLER 1,748,658

. ADJUSTABLE STOCKING FORM Filed Nov. 1, 1927 Patented Feb. 251930 I UNITED STATES OFFICE 'wnnnnnn 1=. sienna, or nAYrosT, 101516 nDJUsmeB E swoon-me FORM *My inventi'onlrelates to garment forms, and more ,p articularly, f to a stocking stretcher for maintaining the shape and 'si'zeolf hose '7 While drying.

'leg'portion of the "form to prevent shrinkage, i The andlmaintainthe proper size and shape. invention isembodied in forms or stretchers both for full length stockings and forsocks 2C orhalf hose. It is to be' understood'thatthe various stretchers Will'be provided in diiiferents zes, each size beingc'capable of'accommodating several different sizes of'stockings v Thepform or stretcher comprlses a nurs; shape" 5 contoured to agreeqwiththe normal shape of j .a 'sto cking,'but devoid of'aheel portion. This Wire shape is reinforcedby'a slidingbracesor truss which" maintains the contour of th e" form, upon which theltruss or brace wireg s slidingly adjustable a ries-the adjustableheel section.

The object ofthe invention is to simplify the structure as well as the-means andmo'de of operation of'drying forms'or stretchers for stockings, whereby they ill not .only be cheapened in construction, but will be more eflicient 1n use, positivein operation, uniform in action and adjustment, andunlilrelyfto get outtof repairg I i V 1 A further objectfoftheinvention'isto pro- Vide "a stocking form; or stretcher Which'vvill Y be'ligh't in weight andwhich Will-comprise a skeleton form ermitting free circulation of 7 air to facilitaterapid drying.)

vide a stocking"-formhaving an adjustable heel sectionwhich maybe extended after the stocking is infplace upon the formioristretcher in order to distend a shrunken,stockmg tozthe properandnormal si-z'e.

The .form is adjust sizes and to enableastock-' scribed and set forthinthe claims.

A further obj ect'of the inventionis to prov a icatio filed Nov mber 1, 192?. semi-no. 230,351,

ik'ifurtherobject'o'f the invention'isto'provide irnproved means for adjusting the vari able hee'l sections from thetop of the form.

A further obj ect of the invention is to provi'deimprovedbracing and reinforcing means yfifi for a'skeleton form and provide meansfor adjusting and expanding the upper portion a ofthe leg.

Withthe above primary and other'inciden tal objects in View, as'will morefullyappear in the. specification, the invention consists of the features of fconstruction, the. parts .and

, combinationstliereof, and the'mode of opera tion, or their equivalents, as hereinafter 'de 7 I Referring to the drawings wherein are a shown the preferred,but-obviously'not' necessarily the only"forms of embodiment of the invention, Fig; 'l'is-a-side elevation ofa full length form orstretcher for Womens stock 5 ing's showing by-dotted lines the relative ad 7 justm'ent 'of the *i nov able heel section and' the f reinforcing truss.- FiglQ is a similar view of a short length ,form for mens socks or halfv hose, likewise showing by dotted *lines the 'l 3 relativeadjustment of the movable heel section andfbraceoritruss vvliich maintains the I outlinecontour-of-the form. Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 1 illustrating a :modified con- Sl'illlCtlOIll tersaof-reference throughoutithelseveralvieWs. I 'The structure comprises-a skeleton formofi Wire contoured to afford a convent onally] shaped 1eg-p0rti0n randa foot portion2 f The Wire section comprising ftheoutline -of'- this contoured skeleton formis formed into'a 'helical'loop 'or'springFturn 3atthe toe of the-V 7 foot portion and'into'-' additional helical-turns 5 or loops the uppereiitremity ofthe 1 ileg'portionl. From-the last mentioned-turns or coils' the extremitiesiof the contour] ire I extendtransverselyof the form 1n lIlClll'ledf' relation and are formed their extremities" ,in'to'eyes 5 slidingl'y engaging the contourior "outline Wire at the-front and rear offthe leg portion. "The upperportionsofth'ese contour Wires are preferably, though not necessarily,

bent into a succession of shallOW Waves'or crenate form for the engagement of the'transr v 80 v Like'parts'areindicatedbysiymilar'characverse brace arms 5 in different angular positions. By slidingly adjusting the brace arms 5 upon the upper portions of the outline or contour wires forming the leg portion 1 the upper end of the form or stretcher is contracted or expanded as may be necessary and as indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 1.

The heel section 7 comprises a bight of wire having loops or eyes at its opposite ends slidingly engaging the contour or outline wire of the rear portion of the form or stretcher. This heel bight 7 is slidingly adjustable toward and from the toe portion of the stretcher or form by the to and fro adjustment of a reinforcement truss or brace 8 with which one end of the heel bight 7 is connected. In practice the reinforcement brace 8 and the heel bight 7 are formed from a single length of wire. The truss like'brace or reinforcement 8 extends .angularly in alternating directions from the contour wire at the front of theform or stretcher to that in the rear and is formed into an eye or loop at each angle embracing the outline or contour wires on which such reinforcement brace is slidingly adjustable. The wire form thus described is introduced into the Wet stocking with the heel portion 7 and sliding brace in their advanced position. The stocking being somewhat shrunken when wet, particularly in the case of woolen hose, this advancement of the heel bight 7 facilitates the placement of the stocking upon the skeleton form or stretcher. After the stocking is in place the reinforcement brace or truss 8 which is readily accessible from the top of the stocking is drawn upwardly, thereby. drawing the heel bight 7 away from the toeof the form and thus extending the foot of the stocking to the desired size. Ordinarily the form will retain its adjustment without looking or fastening means. If desired,-however, the undulating or crenate form or crimp in the contour wire at the upper end of the leg portion may be extended to receive the terminal eye or loop of the adjustable brace 8 and thereby yieldin'gly hold the brace and with it the heel bight 7 in their adjusted positions. By varying the angular relation of the brace arm 5 at the upper end of the form the form maybe expanded to stretch the top of the stocking to the desired size.

The skeletonform or stretcher is made from spring wire of non-corrosive or non-rust character or is suitably plated or coated with a rust-resistant coating.

Referring to Fig. 2 which shows a form for socks or half hose, the general construction is similar to that before described, except that the upper portion of the leg of the form 'is somewhat contracted to accommodate the smaller cufi on the upper end of the sock. In

lieu of the truss shaped brace 8 there is shown in Fig. 2 a modification comprising two sliding tie bars 9 and 10 interconnected by longitudinal tie rod 11. These tie bars9 and 10 and the connecting rod 11 are formed from a single length of wire having formed therein loops or eyes embracing the contour wires of the skeleton form. This brace wire is eX tended outside the main form to provide the adjustable heel bight 7. This heel bight 7 is slidingly adjustable upon the main form in the same manner as before described, There is provided at 12 upon the contour or outline wire of themain form a stop lug which is engaged bythe brace or reinforcement bar 10 at the limit of its downward movement. stop lug 12, limits the movement of one end of the brace bar 10 only. The other end, of

which the heel bight 7 forms a continuation, is

This

free for a further limited movement, during which the reinforcement or brace member is somewhat distorted. The continued movement of the heel bight 7 and end of the brace bar 10 connected therewith tends to contract the foot'portion 2 of the skeleton form as shown by dotted lines. This adjustment of the heel bight 7 thus not only shortens the length of'the foot of the form, but it also narrows the foot portion 2. The adjustable brace structure and heel bight connected therewith are held in various positions of adjustment by the engagement of the brace bar 9 in succeeding undulations 'or crimps 13 formed in the leg of the form. At the upper ends the outline or contour wires are bent inwardly toward each other and are together formed into an involute hook 124, by which the form may be conveniently suspended from a line. The square terminal end 15 formed by bending the contour wires inwardly enables the form to be set upright in a slotted rack, the slots of which receive the square terminal end 15 of the form, in lieu of hanging the form upon a drying line. While the stop lug 12 has not been shown in the stocking form it is tobe understood that it may be also embodied in the form of device shown in Fig. 1, whereby the pressure applied to adjust the heel'bignt 7 in shortening the foot will also. tend to contract the foot portion 2 transversely.

Likewise, the interconnected cross arm form ofadjustable brace shown in Fig. Q'may be substituted for the truss type of brace shown. in Fig. 1.'

In Fig. 3 there is shown a further variation ofthe construction, involving however, the. same fundamental features. In this construction the contour frame of the leg 1 and foot 2 having the spring loop 3 at the toe and the loops 4. at the upper end of the leg with transthis form of device means is provided for. contracting and spreading the leg portlon 1 simultaneously with the adjustment of the heel portion 7. The heel bight 7 is connected with an upwardly extending rod 16 0f which 25 V tions of adj ustmentwby the engagement of one the bight 7 is preferably anintegral extensionhaving eyes enclosing and sliding upon thecontour wire of the main frame. Thus by pulling upwardly or pushing downwardly upon the rod 16 which is provided at its upper end with a finger ring 17 V for this purpose, the

wire at one side of the frame and having loops or eyes 19 slidingly engaging the contour wire at the opposite side of the frame. These brace arms 18 extend through eyes or loops 20 formed at spaced intervals in the adjusting rod 16. Thus upon-reciprocation of the ad.- justing rod'16 to shiftthe heel bight 7 the I brace arms 18 are simultaneously flexed. By

their change of position to different angular relations with the main frame they contract or extend the marginal or contour wires of I the main frame as shown by dotted lines in Fig. The reciprocatory adjusting rod 16 and its interconnected heel portion :7 and brace arms 18 may be held in various posiof the brace arms in successive undulations or crimps of the main frame wire. While the several forms .of stretcher vary as to structural details, it is to be noted that in each form r v the heel is slidingly adjustable toward and from the toe by an operating device extending above the upper end of the stocking to enable it to be extended after the stocking is in place and means is also provided in each instance for spreadingthe leg portion. The skeletonformpermits free circulation of an and lnduces quick drying.

' From'the above description it will be apparent .thatthere is thus provided a device of the character described, possessing the particular features of advantage before enumerated as desirable,'but which obviously is susceptible of modification in its form,propor:

.tions, detail constructlon and arrangement of parts without departing from the principle involved or sacrificing any of its advantages. While in order to comply with the statute V the inventionhas been described inlanguage more, or less specific as tostructural features it is to beunderstood that the invention is not limitedto the specific details shown, but that .the means and construction herein disclosed comprisesthe 'preferredformof several modes of putting the invention into effect and the invention is thereforeqclaimed in any of its forms or modificationswithin the legitimate I andvalid scope of the'appended claims.

Having thusdescribed my invention, 1'

claim i 1. In a stocking formof the character de-- brace wlres lnterconnectlng the front and rear marginal wiresof the form interiorly of I i a stocking mounted thereon at spaced inter: f e vals throughout the length of the form.

scribed, a skeleton frame of. flexible material, including a leg portion and a foot portion, a slidingly adjustable heelportion, and an adjustable brace member for the skeleton form I by which the iadjustable heel ?'-portion is :carried, saidbrace...being accessible from thetopaof 'thei'stockingxto eflect the adjust; I ment of the: heel portionwithin the stocking.

2. In a stocking *form, a "wire skeleton;

frame contoured to the approximate conventional sh ape; of astocking, an adj ustable heel portion and an adjusting member slidingly en'gaged'upon the leg portionjof theform and accessible from the top of the 'stockingwhen on the" form for, hifti the adjustable heel'portion. f

3. In a stocking form, a wire 1 skeletonframe, contouredtoithe approximate conven-' tional shape of a" stocking,"and transversely arranged adjustable brace members having 1 longitudinal sliding engagement on the 4.In-a1 stocking form a' wire skeleton frame-contoured tothe approximate conven- 7 frame wire b'yrwhiclrtheiiform maybe spread oncontracted; 1

tional shapeof a' stocking, the upper ends-of the front and rear outline wires bei-n-g crimped, and brace wires arr-ange'd in transverse relation andadju stably engaged with 'j thercri'mpedportion *of the outline wires to serve as spreaders by the adjustment or I whiclrthe form may 'be e'xpanded and corn tracted. v r I 5. Ina stocking form,'aiskeleton frame of flexible mate-rial contoured to I the approximate conventional shape" of a stocking, and

adjustable brace 'rneanssliding ly adjustable longitudinally of the fram'e extendi-ng"transversely between the "front" and rearmarginal portions of the form bythe a'dj-us'tment of Y which i the leg portion of the *form' may "be expanded or contracted. e j

6.2'In a stocklng form a 't wire skeleton frame contoured tothe approx mate conventional-shape of a'st'ockingyand a plurality" of transverse brace wires 's lidingly engaged with the front 'an-drear'frame w'iresof-the I form interior ly: Ora stocking-supported "on said 1 form, and capable of ni'ove'ment longi tudinally of- =su"ch fra rne'avires but independent thereof to effect adjustment of such front and rear frame wires toward andfroin each other without longitudinal"changeof rue-f 5 tion thereof.

.' 7-. ;In a stockingform a wire skeleton frame contouredto the approximate conventional shape ofa stocking, anda'plurality of interconnected transverse brace" wires slid- 1' ingly engaged'withthe front and rear mar ginal wires of the form.

"8. In a stocking form frame contoured to the approximate conventional shape "of'a stocking,and a plurality a" wire skeleton oftransversely disposed 'slidingly adjustable 9. In a stocking, form a Wire skeleton frame contoured to the approximate conven I ti'onal shape of a stocking, anda' Wire bight exteriorly of said frame and slidingly engagedtherewith forming an adjustable heel portion.v

10, In a stocking form a Wire skeleton frame contoured to the approximate conventional shape of a stocking a Wire bight slidingly engaged with the frame and extending exteriorly thereof to form a heel portion and means for securing the sliding Wire bight indifferent positions of adjustment.

11. In a stocking form a Wire skeleton frame contoured to-the approximate conventional shape of a stocking, a Wire'bight slidingly engaged With the frame and extending exterior-1y thereof to form a heel portion and adjusting means for said sliding Wire bight extending in the plane of the frame to a point adjacent the top thereof and accessible from the top of a stocking upon the form.

12. In a stocking form, a flexible leg and foot frame, an independently formed adjustable heel section carried thereby and adjusting means for simultaneously shifting said heel section relative to the leg and foot frame and contracting the foot portion.

13. In a stocking form a flexible leg and foot frame, an adjustable heel section car ried by the foot portion, a transverse brace arm for said frame connected with the heel section and means for angularly changing the relation of the brace arm to effect a contraction of the frame with the movement of the heel section. V

14. In a stocking form, a flexible leg and foot frame, an adjustable heel section, a slidingly adjustable brace arm for said frame, With which the heel section is interconnected, a stop for one end of the brace arm, the other end of Which is permitted a further movement to Vary the angular relation of the brace arm to the frame and there by effect acontraction of the frame simulta-' neously With the adjustment of the heel sec tion.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this 21 day of October A. D. 1927 WENDELL P. SIGLER. 

